The Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON) has inaugurated and inducted new members in Kogi State, intensifying calls for the inclusion of safety education in Nigeria’s primary and secondary school curriculum.
At the occassion, a renowned philanthropist and former member representing Igalamela/Odolu State Constituency in the Kogi State House of Assembly, Elder Dr Friday Sani Makama, was elected Chairman of the Kogi State branch alongside other executive members.
Speaking at the event, ISPON President, Dr Stephen Udezi, advocated the integration of safety studies into Nigeria’s school curriculum as a strategic measure to curb preventable fatalities in workplaces and communities across the country.
“Nigeria as a nation has witnessed a series of avoidable fatalities largely due to poor safety consciousness,” Udezi said. “That is why we are advocating for a law that will ensure safety is taught in our schools from primary through tertiary levels. This will inculcate the right safety culture at the elementary stage and ultimately save lives.”
He urged the Federal Government to enact and enforce stricter safety policies across industries and workplaces to prevent hazards and unnecessary deaths.
“Most of the casualties recorded in the country are avoidable when citizens are properly sensitised on the need to be safety-conscious at all times. Safety is not a luxury; it is a necessity for national development,” he added.
Udezi congratulated the newly elected executives, noting that since ISPON was established by an Act of Parliament in 1980, the institute has remained committed to promoting safety standards nationwide.
Also speaking, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Safety, Standards and Regulations, Hon. David Zachariah, disclosed that efforts were underway at the National Assembly to legislate the inclusion of safety education in Nigeria’s school curriculum.
“Safety is everybody’s business. Every Nigerian must be safety-conscious if we want progress in our country,” Zachariah said. “We are making frantic efforts to pass a bill into law to ensure that safety is not only included in various school curricula but also entrenched as part of our daily lives.”
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, represented by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Muizudeen Yunus Abdullahi, lauded the induction of new members and the presentation of safety awards to distinguished individuals.
“Kogi State, the Confluence State, has always prized safety as the bedrock of progress,” the governor stated. “In a world fraught with industrial hazards, road accidents, environmental risks and emerging threats, the role of safety professionals cannot be overstated.
“You are the unsung guardians—the architects of prevention, the sentinels of compliance and the vanguard against calamity. Today marks not just a ceremony, but a clarion call to elevate safety standards across our state.”
He described the awards presented at the event as “testaments to lives preserved, families protected and futures secured,” while reaffirming the state government’s commitment to supporting safety initiatives.
Governor Ododo further urged corporate leaders, traditional rulers and development partners to collaborate with ISPON in promoting compliance and integrating safety measures into policies and projects.
“Safety is a shared covenant. Let us work together to rid our state of preventable accidents, strengthen emergency response systems and build resilient communities,” he said.
In a keynote presentation titled “HSE in Corporate Governance – The Imperative for Organisational Sustainability,” safety expert Dr Sholagemi Jonathan stressed that governance without safety considerations undermines sustainable development.
“Today is not just about opening a new chapter in our professional journey; it is about reaffirming our collective commitment to safety, governance and sustainability in Nigeria,” Jonathan said. “Globally, organisations are judged not only by profits but by how responsibly they treat their people, environment and communities. Integrating Health, Safety and Environment into corporate governance is no longer optional it is imperative.”
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected Kogi State Chairman of ISPON, Elder Friday Sani Makama, pledged an inclusive administration focused on grassroots sensitisation and stronger enforcement of safety standards.
“This is a new dawn for safety in our state,” Makama said. “We will take safety awareness campaigns to the grassroots and discharge our duties without bias. Industries and companies must prioritise safety in their workplaces. The Institute remains committed to ensuring public safety in Kogi State and Nigeria at large.”
The event climaxed with the formal induction of new members and the conferment of awards on individuals recognised for their outstanding contributions to safety advocacy and compliance in the state.
